A misdemeanor weapons case involving Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star guard James Harden has been thrown out in Texas, according to court records.
Harris County Criminal Court Judge Alex Salgado dismissed the charge Thursday in Houston after prosecutors with the Harris County district attorney’s office requested the move, citing Harden’s completion of an alternative resolution program.
Those types of diversion programs can allow eligible defendants to avoid a criminal conviction, often by completing requirements such as community service.
The court filings did not specify the exact conditions Harden was required to meet under the agreement.
Harden was arrested in Houston on June 13 after police said they discovered a handgun inside his vehicle. Under Texas law, having a firearm “in plain view” in a vehicle without a license is classified as a misdemeanor and can carry a penalty of up to one year in jail and a fine of as much as $4,000.
The district attorney’s office and Harden’s Houston-based attorney did not immediately return phone and email messages seeking comment Friday. The Cavaliers also did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment.
Harden, 36, wrapped up his 17th NBA season in May, when the Cavaliers were swept in four games by the eventual NBA champion New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference finals. During the regular season, he averaged 23.6 points while appearing in 70 of Cleveland’s 82 games.
Editor’s Picks
1 Related
He has said he’d like to remain with the Cavaliers, but he declined to exercise a $42.3 million option to return next season in favor of a longer contract. A deal has not been finalized.
Harden is an 11-time All-Star and an eight-time All-NBA selection. He earned MVP honors in the 2017-18 season while playing for the Houston Rockets, averaging 30.4 points per game. Harden led the Rockets to the Western Conference finals where they lost to the Golden State Warriors.
